Mackenzie Dern prepares to fight Amanda Lemos with Khabib-inspired techniques at UFC 298

Mackenzie Dern, the 7th-ranked UFC strawweight, aims to bounce back after her first knockout loss to Jessica Andrade in her previous bout. Despite Dern’s storied career in professional Jiu-Jitsu and her formidable ground game showcased in UFC fights, she lacks the wrestling credentials of the retired undefeated lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Nevertheless, Dern looks to demonstrate new techniques in her fight against Lemos in Anaheim, California in the featured prelim bout at UFC 298, the upcoming PPV.

Mackenzie Dern reveals her Khabib-style strategies for UFC 298

Mackenzie Dern revealed at the pre-fight press conference of UFC 298 that she would employ the fighting style of Khabib Nurmagomedov against Amanda Lemos. “I kind of just need to be more like Khabib and just go forward. I mean, that’s my style, you know, keeping them on their back feet and just pressuring and having them concerned about the takedown,” Dern said of her strategy.

Dern also spoke of what she felt was wrong in her previous fight with Jessica Andrade. “I did land some shots, uh, I got excited about it, and then I landed like one to and I wanted to throw like a 3, 4, 5, instead of like, now is a good time to go for the takedown,” Dern reflected on her loss to Jessica Andrade at UFC 295, which marked her first loss via finish in her MMA career. Before the Andrade fight, Dern had suffered three losses, all via unanimous decision or majority decision.

The UFC strawweight title is on the line at UFC 300 as champion Zhang Weili seeks to defend her title for the third time against compatriot Yan Xioanan. Weili had previously defended her title against Amanda Lemos, the upcoming opponent for Dern, at UFC 292. Conversely, Xioanan and Dern have faced off before, with Xioanan winning via majority decision.

Mackenzie Dern prepares for UFC 298 against Amanda Lemos

Mackenzie Dern’s upcoming fight against Amanda Lemos at UFC 298 is a pivotal clash in her career, particularly after her first knockout loss. Dern spoke to Brian Martin of Whittier Daily News preluding his fight.

“I know that if she’s anything like me, she’s gonna come and … try and make up her mistakes from her last loss that she had against Weili,” Dern said of what she expects from Lemos at the fight.

“In my opinion she lost a lot on the ground and the grappling part, so that’s a big opening for me,” Dern further added. Lemos had lost the fight against Weili in the wrestling department and Dern has openly revealed her game plan of exploiting that aspect of her opponent. However, Dern has also shown a deficiency in the wrestling department, as on numerous occasions, she has shown an inability to take the fight to the ground.

“I ended up staying too much in the fire zone with someone who’s dangerous for our weight division, you know, and getting caught,” Mackenzie briefly explained what she believed was the reason for her loss to Jessica at UFC 295.

Dern also discussed the change in training camps after her home gym, RVCA Training Center, shut down. Now, in addition to Jason Parillo, she also has the services of Paul Herrera from the Huntington Beach Ultimate Training Centre.

Do you think Mackenzie Dern will prevail over Amanda Lemos at UFC 298? Leave your prediction below!